112 of 114 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The promise of DVD realized: a must-own., January 13, 2000
This review is from: The Alien Legacy (DVD)
You're not reading this for a critical review of the movies; if you haven't seen the movies, you've been living under a rock for the last 20 years (in which case you should rent them, then buy this set). You're reading this because you want to know if this set is worth owning.
Yes, yes, and yes. Simply put, this is the best usage of DVD to date. Picture quality and sound are outstanding, and that's just the beginning. What makes these discs shine is all the attention that was put into the extra goodies on the discs themselves. Pop in the Aliens disc, and the menu is as if you're watching one of the Marines' helmet cameras, investigating the lost colony. Put in Alien and you'll be traveling down the famous claustrophobia corridors of the Nostromo choosing your options. After seeing these you'll take a different point of view on a lot of your other DVD's, once you witness how good they could have been but aren't.
On these discs there's deleted footage, commentaries, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and too much more to name here (although, if you once owned the Aliens laserdisc, there isn't quite all the stuff there was on that version, like Cameron's script drafts and other written material).
A feast for fans. The best DVD purchase I've ever made, and a rediscovery of the old Alien magic. Highly recommended.
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93 of 102 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
If you already own this...., January 28, 2003
This review is from: The Alien Legacy (DVD)
...then you have my sympathies.
I own this set, but found out today that Fox are going to be re-releasing another Alien box set with each film getting the 2-disc super duper ultimate edition treatment.
If you haven't got this set then wait until the middle of the year for the new 9 disc boxed set.
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42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great series, but wait for re-release, June 20, 2002
This review is from: The Alien Legacy (DVD)
It's great that this set was finally released, even though it lacks special features on the last two in the series. Here's a quick synopsis of the movies:
ALIEN: Scary, exciting, and suspensful sci-fi/horror film which makes a great start to the series. After recieving a signal from a remote planet, Captain Dallas (TOM SKERITT) and his crew (which includes SIGOURNEY WEAVER, IAN HOLM, YAPHET KOTTO, and HARRY DEAN STANTON) land on the planet only to find a derelict spacecraft filled with hundreds of mysterious eggs which have aliens insdie them... soon enough one of the aliens gets inside the ship and all hell brakes loose. Some shots of the alien look very obvious. Comes with many speical features on the DVD. Directed by Ridley Scott. 1979; filmed in 2:35:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 116 minutes. GRADE: A-.
ALIENS: A visceral, more action oriented/shoot-em-up approach to alien series. 57 years after "Alien", Ripley (SIGOURNEY WEAVER) goes back to the planet from the original movie with a squad of marines (which includes MICHAEL BEIHN, BILL PAXTON, and LANCE HENRIKSEN) to wipe out the alien infestation. Soon enough, the marines and Ripley become trapped in the compound and they must find a way out without being killed by the aliens. There are many magnificent action scenes in this movie, but you'd expect that from director James Cameron. Some people may not like that all of the suspense and horror was taken out to make room for shooting. The DVD includes a photo gallery, an interview with the director, and a longer version of the film. 1986; filmed in 1:85:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 154 minutes. GRADE: B+.
ALIEN 3: Underrated sequel in which Ripley crashes on a planet where there is a huge prison inhabited by ex-cons. Soon enough, Ripley realizes that an alien has somehow gotten in to the prison. Now, Ripley must lead the ex-cons (which includes CHARLES DANCE and CHARLES S. DUTTON) to destroy the beast, but it's more complicated because in the prison there are no weapons of any kind. Director David Fincer (Fight club, Se7en) utilizes the same concepts as director Ridley Scott did in the original movie. There is much bloodshed/gore in this movie and the alien sometimes looks fake, but Alien 3 has by far the best finale of the entire series. 1992; filmed in 2:35:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 115 minutes. GRADE: B-.
ALIEN RESURRECTION: Interesting but unbelievable sequel has Ripley being cloned with alien DNA on a medical research ship 200 years in the future where experiments on aliens are being performed. Soon enough, the aliens escape and all hell brakes loose (again) on the ship. Ripley, along with a band of smugglers (which includes MICHAEL WINCOTT and RON PERLMAN), a scientist, and a security guard (RAYMOND CRUZ) must make it to an escape ship before they are killed and the ship blows up. Director Jean-Pierre Jeaunet fills the movie with absurd close-ups and gore aplenty, (more than Alien 3) but still manages to create a humorous, action packed movie with some good special effects and chilling music. Some people may not like the ending. 1997; filmed in 2:35:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 108 minutes. GRADE: C+.
Good series, but I advise you not to buy this set because it lacks special features. There will most likely be a re-release loaded with commentaries, documentaires, etc so just wait for that.
493 minutes; all films are Rated R for scenes of strong violence/gore, frequent strong language, disturbing images, and some sensuality.
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